State arts agencies (SAAs) nationwide recognize the importance of fair and transparent allocation of funds to support diverse communities and cultural organizations. In a noteworthy development, the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) recently introduced several new grant making policy changes aimed at streamlining and transforming its funding process to make funds more accessible. With…
The Michigan Arts Education Instruction and Assessment (MAEIA) project is a comprehensive effort to improve arts education in Michigan. The goal of MAEIA is to provide educators with a set of high-quality arts education resources that can be used to develop effective instruction and assessments for K-12 students in Michigan. The initiative is a collaboration…
The isolating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have underscored the importance of the arts as a vehicle for restoring human connections, building social capital and helping communities heal after difficult experiences. State arts agencies are encouraging this kind of public engagement by supporting projects that embed the arts in civic practice to contribute to the…
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) recently launched a five-part series on Michigan Public Radio featuring stories about how creative expression brings people and communities closer together. Each segment of Creating Connection MI is a meditation on the connectivity of the arts and the positive roles that culture and creativity play in our personal…
One way state arts agencies can foster the capacity of arts leaders and arts organizations is by harnessing the power of cohort learning. This approach—based on the active and interactive dynamics of group learning—fosters community, creativity and leadership skills as a pedagogical strategy. In this way, cohort learning facilitates ongoing supportive relationships that both reinforce…
Michigan public education students celebrate their grant of new classroom arts supplies. Photo courtesy Michigan Youth Arts Association Last year, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) conducted a gap analysis of arts education in the state and concluded that what arts teachers most need are basic supplies for…
This month’s edition of State to State features recently completed strategic plans from four state arts agencies. Each of these plans is different, showing the agency’s unique approach to planning and adapting its goals and objectives to address its legislative purpose, its current environment and the needs of its citizens. Vermont Arts Council Inspiring a…
Creative State Michigan is a new resource featuring information on arts participation, arts education and the economic impact of the arts. The report was produced by ArtServe Michigan and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) to showcase the diverse contributions that the cultural sector makes to the state’s productivity, as well as…
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has teamed up with the Pure Michigan tourism advertising campaign to produce a new radio commercial aimed at promoting the arts in Michigan. The one-minute ad is narrated by celebrity Tim Allen, a Michigan native. Entitled “Front Row,” the spot encourages visitors to enjoy a “casual”…
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), through its New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan (NLACM) advisory group, recently offered the Retention and Engagement Youth Grant Program to Michigan nonprofit organizations. The program, designed to provide opportunities for young people to engage each other and their communities, supports youth-based projects within organizations as…
1 / 2